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☰
Ocean Drive Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Ocean Drive Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 2.8
Number of comments: 199 [displaying comments 181 to 191]
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K. C. from Suburban Philly
(4/1/2003)
 "A nicely organized run through South Jersey" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, so my context for evaluation is only based on what others have written about other marathons. I thought the course was an intereseting run through the beach towns of South Jersey, including residential areas, the Wildwood boardwalk, several bridges and some marshland. I thought the organization was great, had no problems getting where I needed to, aid stations were well stocked and manned by friendly and supportive volunteers. The finish tent was also well-stocked. Fans were few but the ones that did come out were friendly and vocal. The only downside was the weather, I'm sure the organizers must have logistical reasons for not running from Sea Isle to Cape May, but that sure would have made things easier for the marathoners in 3 of the last 4 years as northern winds have blown pretty hard. An alternative would be running the race a few weeks later, but that probably poses its own logistical issues. Overall it was a great experience, and a character builder. Several race partcipants commented 'I've run 25+ marathons and this is the worst weather I've ever had.' If you enter for 2004 prepare for the worst and hope for the best as far as the weather goes. | |
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Greg Judge from Seattle, WA
(4/1/2003)
"Great course for 1st timer!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is a great course for a 1st time marathoner. The course is flat, except for a few bridges. The course is very scenic with lots of views of the ocean and some fabulous homes. The weather was really bad this year, so I did not have a very pleasant experience, but that is beyond the race organizers control. The race organization was very good and they had a pretty good handle on the course layout, volunteers and finish area. If the weather had been better, then maybe we would have had more spectators. The ones who did come out were very enthusiastic for 'their' runner and shared some of it with the rest of us. | |
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Eliot Collins from New Jersey
(4/1/2003)
 "Excellent Marathon - Highly Recommended " (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was the 2nd time that I have run this race and it was my 48th marathon overall. Once again, I enjoyed the race very much, and the positive comments that I posted here on 03/28/02 still apply. The bad weather only served to make the race a more enjoyable challenge and finally finishing became that much more satisfying. Anyone who comes to New Jersey expecting an easy marathon may, depending on the weather, be sadly disappointed. The 2003 Ocean Drive Marathon and the 2002 Jersey Shore Marathon, which both featured rain, wind and cold, were two of the most difficult marathons that I have run. I look forward to running Ocean Drive again in 2004. | |
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S. D. from New York
(3/31/2003)
"a geat place to hold a marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I have always loved the south New Jersey shore especially Cape May thru Avalon. Its a shame that more people don't realize just how beautifull the area is from the Victorians and world class resturants of Cape May through the Wildwoods with their unique 1950's style hotels to the beauty of Stone Harbor and Avalon. The beach are simply amazing. I can think of no better way to showcase the area then to build up a world class marathon. The course is well thought out, the organizers enthusiastic, the volunters very supportive. As a romantic weekend getaway I strongly recomend all runners go to this race with a spouse or romantic other. The course is flat except for the many bridges, The course varies between roads and broadwalk. The only thing they could not control was the weather which conspired to be the worst I ever had for any of my 30 marathons. But regardless the area made the entire trip worthwhile. | |
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Second Timer from New York
(3/31/2003)
 "Despite Rain, Cold and a little wind...It was fun!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Among quite a few other Washington D.C. marathon refugees this marathon was a nice surprise. The information I received at the Expo was great and friendly, the shuttle from the finish to the start was full of energy and the volunteers and fans (despite lacking in numbers) had enough energy to run the race themselves, as always almost every runner. If you ever find yourself in South Jersey during March run the ODM. Oh, and the wind is not that bad... 'If it wasn't hard everyone would do it!' | |
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R. C. from Bloomfield, N.J.
(3/31/2003)
 "Weatherbeaten " (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 We all agree that the one variable that's out of everyone's control is the weather. But the conditions that runners endured on Sunday (a torrential rain early, followed by plummeting temperatures and high winds) have prevailed in previous years as well. March is a fickle month; this year, it came in like a lamb and went out like a lion, and a lot of runners, myself included, got chewed up in the lion's mouth. I dropped out at the 10-mile mark, something I've never done in 12 marathons. Too bad, because the volunteers were courageous and courteous and the course was scenic. Two suggestions: either change the date of the race to warmer months --late September or early October would seem to be ideal--or at least change the direction of the course, so that if the frigid north wind blows, at least it is at the runner's back and not in the face. | |
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T. K. from Boca Raton, FL
(3/31/2003)
"Great volunteers, windy, scenic, flat course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Very friendly and helpful volunteers. Good course, well organized. Volunteers few but great, cheered us on heartily. Started at 9:00-too late for those who have to catch a flight. water every other mile at the end - could have used it every mile when you're thirstiest. Course had headwinds, but scenic and relatively flat except for bridges. Biggest problems were nature: rain and cold and headwind. Nice T-shirts. | |
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Unhappy Runner from New York
(12/23/2002)
 "A drawbridge went up!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Unfortunately my race on this beautiful, flat course was interupted at mile 5 by a raised drawbridge. I was in 3rd place at the time, and my jaw dropped as I watched the first two runners disappear on the other side of the bridge. I had to wait for over 3 minutes while a boat passed underneath, and ran the remaining 21 miles seething with anger. I understand that random occurences can interfere with even the most thoroughly planned event, but it seems to me that a year should be enough time for the race organizer to make sure that the drawbridges can be closed for several hours. To add insult to injury, at mile 22 the course came to a 'T' and the person who was supposed to direct the runners had stepped away, causing me and another runner to run off course for about 1/4 mile. After all my hard training it was disappointing to have my experience be spoiled by blunders that should have been easily avoided. | |
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A Runner from Audubon, Pa
(4/26/2002)
"A very pleasant and relaxing fun marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have participated in over 9 marathons, some being very large ones. I have to say that the Ocean Drive marathon was very well organized and that it was nice to be in a smaller marathon where you are treated as a person and not as a number. Even though there were not a lot of spectators, I would recommend anyone to do this marathon and invite their family and friends and make a weekend out of it. The course is very spectator accessible. Being a competive racewalker, I found the course to be very walker friendly. The only thing I would recommend is to have enough water and food for the 'back of the packers' That would make the Penguin happy!!! The weather was absoultly perfect, even though no one has control over that. The expo was pleasantly well done. | |
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A Runner from New Jersey
(3/28/2002)
"Excellent Marathon - Highly Recommended" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 55th marathon or ultra and it was without a doubt one of the very best. Whoever planned this race knew what they were doing. The first few aid stations were staffed by kids handing out water only, and I thought to myself, 'Another low-frills race'. Then, at later aid-stations, Gatorade was available, and it was actually mixed correctly (quite a pleasant surprise). Then came aid-stations with energy gel, and then bananas and oranges, all handed out by very helpful and well-trained volunteers. At this point, I was telling them all what an outstanding job they were doing. Finally, at the end of the race, they had plenty of bagels, hot soup, oranges and bananas. I realize that this is all basic stuff, but they really did a great job. As far as the course, I expected another boring run through several seaside towns. It turned out that the course was quite varied, including a number of bridge crossings, the Wildwood boardwalk, excellent ocean views, coastal wetlands, and several towns that were really quite different. For a course of this type, it turned out to be very good. The few spectators were enthusiastic, but it was actually very nice that for most of the race I was all by myself, enjoying the scenery and the solitude. The race T-shirt was excellent, with very tasteful advertising (on the sleeve only), as was the finishers medal. It was clear to me that a lot of thought went into this race, and that other race directors should come here for some pointers. I will return next year myself. |
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